Happy 83rd birthday to the Bourton on the Water Model Village!
As the only Grade II listed model village in the country, the model village in Bourton-on-the-Water is a true British gem.
You can visit it on one our Cotswolds in a Day’ tour!
Entry to the model village is not included in the price of our tours, but at just £4.50 for adults (with discounts for children and seniors), it’s a lovely little attraction to add to your list of things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water.
A short history of the Bourton-on-the-Water model village
The model village is a remarkably accurate re-creation of Bourton-on-the-Water in miniature. It was opened on this day (12th May) in 1937, the day of the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (father and mother of the current Queen Elizabeth II).
The model village was created by a former landlord and landlady of The Old New Inn. It took 5 years to build from local Cotswold stone – just like the real buildings in the village. Reportedly, the entire model village was measured out on foot – imagine doing something like that today, with no GPS or modern surveying equipment!
Over the years, parts of the model village have been restored, and the shop fronts change as businesses come and go. There’s even a model village in the model village in the model village!
The village was granted Grade II listed status in 2013 – the only model village with this official conservation order in the UK.
As seen on screen
As well as delighting locals and visitors for 83 years, the model village in Bourton on the Water has served as a filming location on several occasions. In 2014 it featured in ‘Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s my Donkey?’, which was the third instalment of the feel-good family movie franchise.
And, as unlikely as it may seem, it also appears in the 2008 music video for ‘I’m Outta Time’ by Oasis. Check out the YouTube video below for proof! Even Liam Gallagher couldn’t resist pretending to be a giant here!
Ready to explore Bourton-on-the-Water with us?
We visit Bourton-on-the-Water on our Cotswolds in a Day tour.
Prefer a private tour or need group transport? Then, check out our private tours and minibus hire options.
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